van der wal



Feb. 14, 1956 G. J. VAN DER WAL 2,734,630

MULTIPLE HYDROCYCLONES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 1955 INVENTORGERRIT JAN VAN DER WAL,

ATTOR Y Feb. 14, 1956 G. J. VAN DER WAL MULTIPLE HYDROCYCLONES 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1953 INVENTOR GERRI T JAN VAN DER WAL,

dwmgfix ATTORNEY Feb. 14, 1956 G. J. VAN DER WAL 2,734,630

MULTIPLE HYDROCYCLONES Filed Jan. 22, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENMilka... 0c

ATTORNE TOR GERRIT JAN VAN DER WAL,

Feb. 14, 1956 G. J. VAN DER WAL MULTIPLE HYDROCYCLONES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Jan. 22, 1953 lllllllll a k 1 {I F G. IO. INVENTOR GERRIT JAN VANDER WAL,

ATTORN 1956 G. J. VAN DER WAL MULTIPLE HYDROCYCLONES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Jan. 22, 1953 ATTO R United States Patent MULTIPLE HYDRQCYCLUNESGerrit Jan van der Wal, Amsterdam, Netheriands, as-

signor to Don-Oliver Incorporated, a corporation of Delaware ApplicationJanuary 22, 1953, Serial No. 332,555

Claims priority, application Netherlands January 25, 1952 Claims. (Ci.2=--2li) This invention relates to hydrocyclones. More particularly, itrelates to a structural unit comprising a plurality of hydrocyclones,which unit is usually termed a multiple hydrocyclone.

Hydrocyclones are known to be useful in classifying, thickening, andotherwise separating solids suspended in liquids. Briefly, ahydrocyclone is an enclosed vortex space bounded along the lengththereof by a continuous surface of revolution with a smooth inner wall,having feed inlet means disposed tangentially either clockwise orcounter-clockwise to the surface of revolution at one end thereof aswell as having at the same end a base located, axially disposed,discharge outlet or overflow aperture, and having axially disposed atthe opposite end of the space a second discharge opening or underflowaperture. In the most frequently used form of hydrocyclone the vortexspace is enclosed by a cylindrical chamber subtended by and opening intowithout interruption a conical chamber. In this type of hydrocyclone theunderflow aperture is usually located at the apex of the conical spaceand is sometimes referred to as the apex discharge outlet, while thefeed inlet means are usually disposed tangentially to the widest part ofthe space. For best operation of the hydrocyclone it is desirable toinsert a tubular member through the base discharge opening and extend italong the axis of the vortex space to a point below the level of thefeed inlet means. Such a tubular member is often referred to as a vortexfinder.

For convenience the invention will hereafter be described with referenceto the cylindrical-conical type of hydrocyclone although it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to this form.

In operation whereby such separations are made a liquid containingsolids is introduced into the cylindrical chamber through the tangentialfeed inlet means under enormous pressures so that the feed slurry whirlsabout the vortex space producing centrifugal forces so great that theforce of gravity is in eifect eliminated. Accordingly, under theseconditions, a hydrocyclone may be successfully operated in any position.A fraction of the feed upon introduction into the vortex space isdischarged through the base aperture as overflow. As a result of thecentrifugal forces and drag forces so developed, there occurs asegregation of the solids within the liquid feed based upon thedifferences in gravity settling rates in still water. In specificgravity separations specifically light particles are discharged in theoverflow fraction while specifically heavy particles exit through theapex discharge outlet as the underflow fraction. In separations based onparticle size, in other words classification, the finer solids aredischarged in the overflow and the coarser solids are discharged in theunderflow. By adjusting the rate of apex discharge, thickening of theunderflow fraction may be accomplished.

It is known that there are several factors which influence the criticalparticle size and critical specific gravity about which separations aremade in the hydrocyclone.

' discharge means, and common control means.

Such factors, both structural and operational in nature, can be variedin general only within limits. Thus, in separating fairly smallparticles suspended in liquids it is necessary that small sizehydrocyclones operating in parallel be used to carry out the separation,in contrast to using larger sized hydrocyclones for fairly largeparticles. Because of capacity requirements it can readily be seen thatmany small size hydrocyclones must be used in order to treat the sameamount of suspension as one larger size hydrocyclone. This presents aserious problem from the viewpoint of space requirements, maintenance,construction costs, etc. Consequently, attempts have been made to solvethis problem by devising structural units comprising a number of smallsize hydrocyclones in parallel with common feed means, common Such aunit has been generally called a multiple hydrocyclone.

However such attempts produced multiple hydrocyclones having certainserious disadvantages. For example, the feed volume that such unitscould handle was low in comparison to the space occupied by such units.This was due to the fact that a substantial portion of the spaceoccupied by such units was unused or dead space. Because of the means ofsupplying feed to each hydrocyclone, the number of hydrocyclones foreach unit was limited and the unused space between the hydrocyclones waslarge.

Another disadvantage lay in the construction of such units. Manydifferent molds and castings were required in order to obtain all thenecessary and small component parts of an operable multiplehydrocyclone. Because of the high feed pressures involved closetolerances between the parts were required, which added to the cost ofconstruction. Furthermore, it was not always easy to obtain uniformitywhere uniformity was desirable.

Therefore, one object in general of this invention is to devise amultiple hydrocyclone Without these disadvantages.

More specifically, an object of this invention is to devise a multiplehydrocyclone with an increased capacity per unit of space occupiedwhereby the amount of unused space is minimized and the number ofindividual hydrocyclones per unit of space is maximized.

Another object of this invention is to devise a multiple hydrocyclone ofsuch structural simplicity that not only are construction costsminimized but the parts can be made more uniformly and without therequirement of close tolerances.

These and possibly other objects are achieved by this invention.

In summary, this invention comprises a block of material with vortexspaces between opposite ends of the block aligned with respect to theirlongitudinal axes and separated by the material from each other, eachvortex space comprising a cylindrical space subtended by a conical spacewith a coaxial discharge aperture at its apex, and a specially adaptedremovable cover member covering the cylindrical portion of each vortexspace. Each cover member comprises a plate the end adjacent the blockbeing slightly larger than the vortex space, a central discharge outletdisposed through the plate and in axial alignment with the vortex space,a channel-shaped groove extending from and through the side of the platealong the surface of the end adjacent to the block, and adapted to besubstantially in tangential alignment with the vortex space when thedischarge aperture in the plate is in axial alignment with the vortexspace, which groove cooperates with the end surface of the block to forma feed inlet to the hydrocyclones formed by the vortex space and thecover member; Positioning means for maintaining the position of thecover member may also be included. The block and cover members in placeare disposed between two metal clamping plates having aperturescorresponding in position to the vortex space discharge outlets, meansfor introducing feed slurry to the spaces formed between the clampingplate pressing down on the cover members and the block, means forcollecting discharge from the cover member discharge outlets, means forcollecting discharge from the apex discharge outlets, and means forclamping the plates together.

In one embodiment of this invention the vortex spaces may be entirelyrecessed in the block. In such case the depth of the delivery section ofevery feed channel in each. cover member should preferably be graduallydiminished in order that when the cover member is in position the feedchannel will debouch into the vortex space at a small angle in relationto a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hydrocyclone. In anotherembodiment of this invention a portion of the vortex space may berecessed in the plate portion of the cover member. In such case the feedchannel can be of constant depth.

In either cover member embodiment of this invention the feed channelsmay be curved and the sidewalls thereof may converge over the vortexspace. Furthermore for best operation it is preferred to provide eachcover member discharge aperture with a vortex finder.

It is preferred too that the cover members be radially symmetrical aboutthe sides thereof with the axis of radial symmetry coinciding with thatof the cover member aperture. This shape is preferred in order that inoperation the common feed chamber formed between the block and theclamping plate will contain no dead areas where liquid suspensioncontaining organic matter may collect and decay. For the same reason itis desirable that the block be also radially symmetrical about theperiphery of the infeed end and the underfiow end.

Because of the dead space problem and because it is desirable to haveequal distribution of feed to each hydrocyclone it is also preferredthat the feed inlet face away from the overall direction of feed slurryflow over the surface of the block. Since it is a feature of thisinvention that more than one feed inlet to each vortex space may beeasily used, the above preference is satisfied if one feed inlet isfaced away from the overall direction of feed slurry flow across the endof the block by proper positioning of the cover member, and that theremainder be spaced equidistantly from the first feed inlet about theinfeed end of the cover member.

In either embodiment of this invention it is preferred to maintain theposition, once established, of the cover members with respect to thevortex spaces in the block by positioning means. Such means may comprisea side wall extension of the cover member, except only for that portionabout the feed channel entrance, and interrupted grooves about thevortex space adapted for the corre sponding extension of the sidewalls,the grooves being so located that when the cover member is centrallypositioned over the vortex space the overflow aperture is centered onthe axis of the vortex space and the feed inlet is facing in the desireddirection.

This invention presents an advantage in that all feed channels may beformed by means of one mold or matrix. However, it is preferred that theblock and cover members be molded or cast out of a resilient material inorder that operating hydraulic pressures and clamping forces may be mostefl'iciently utilized to prevent leakages in and out of the structuralunit. For the same reason, and in addition, to minimize constructioncosts of the block housing by permitting rough tolerances, it isdesirable to surround the infeed end of the block of vortex spaces witha sealing lip or collar of resilient material projecting outwardly atsuch an angle to the side of the block, between 90 and 180 so that underoperating conditions the hydraulic pressures in the feed chamber formedbetween the clamping plate and the infeed end of the block will pressthe lip against the housing surrounding the block. Under such conditionsdecayable organic feed is prevented from entering any existing deadspaces between the block and the housing.

Feed slurry may be introduced into the space around the cover members bya feed conduit which passes in axial alignment through the commonoverflow discharge chamber, and into the space through the clampingplate pressing against the cover member. An alternative feed slurrymeans, which is desirable under certain conditions, comprises a feedconduit passing through the common underfiow discharge chamber, throughthe clamping plate separating the chamber from the block, and into anaxially aligned hole in the block communicating between the two ends ofthe block. In this alternative case the feed conduit end of the hole ispreferably lined about the circumference with a sealing lip of resilientmaterial projecting outwardly and at a small angle from the side of thehole such that when the feed conduit is inserted through the hole thesealing lip will be pressed about the feed conduit by hydraulic pressureunder operating conditions.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than bythe description preceding them, and all changes that fall within themetes and bounds of the claims, or of forms that are their functional aswell as conjointly cooperate equivalents are therefore intended to beembraced by those claims.

With this in mind reference is now made to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred type of multiplehydrocyclone block partially cut away to reveal the spacial relationshipof the vortex spaces which occupy the block and of the specially adaptedcover members, and showing all but a few of the vortex spaces capped bythe cover members.

Figure 2 is an infeed end View of the complete multiple hydrocycloneblock illustrated in the partially cut away view of Figure l, andlikewise showing all but a portion of the vortex spaces capped by thespecially adapted cover members.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the type of specially adapted covermember found in Figure 1, illustrated here in an upside down position.

Figure 4 is a side view of a segment of the multiple hydrocyclone blockshowing in more detail two vortex spaces capped by the cover membersillustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a top view of the cover member of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a bottom view, or discharge end view, of the cover member ofFigure 3.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the speciallyadapted cover member of this invention, illustrated here in an upsidedown position.

Figure 8 is another side view of a segment of the multiple hydrocycloneblock showing in more detail two vortex spaces which cooperate with thespecially adapted cover member illustrated in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a top view of the cover member found in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the cover member of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a side view of the complete structural unit, or multiplehydrocyclone showing the block and cover members of Figure 1 inoperative relationship with the housing frame.

More particularly, in the drawings, referring to Figures 1 and 2, thecylindrical block 21 constructed from a resilient rubber materialcontains three or more concentric rows of vortex spaces 22, thelongitudinal axes of which are in parallel alignment with each other andwith the cylindrical axis of the block 21. Each of the vortex spacescomprises a cylindrical section 23 sub tended by a conical section 24.The cylindrical section opens directly onto one end of the block 21,which end shall be referred to hereinafter as the infeed end, while atthe apex of the conical section 24 there is an axially alignedpassageway 25 referred to as the apex discharge outlet or underflowdischarge outlet opening onto the opposite end of the block 21, whichend shall be referred to hereinafter as the underflow end. At the infeedend of the block each vortex space is capped by a cover member 26likewise constructed from a resilient rubber material and especiallyadapted to provide, when in position, a feed slurry conduit 27 extendingfrom the side of the cover member 26 tangentially to the vortex space22.

The specially adapted cover member 26, referring to Figures 3, 4, 5, and6, comprises in somewhat more 'detail a cylindrically shaped plate ofdiameter larger than the largest diameter of the vortex space 22, with achannel-like groove 28 of constant width extending from and through theside of the cover member 26 along the surface of the end thereof in anarc-like curve towards the axis of the cover member to terminate by agradual decrease in depth with the outer edge thereof tangentiallymeeting and running along the edge of the opening of the vortex space 22when the cover member is in position. Consequently, when the covermember is placed in position, a feed slurry conduit 27 is formedextending from outside the cover member into the vortex space, one wallthereof consisting of the flat surface 29 of the infeed end of the block21, and the remaining walls thereof consisting of those of the channel28. This is shown in Figure 4 wherein the sectional view of the covermember 26 corresponds to that of section 4-4 in Figure 5. Axiallydisposed through the cover member 26 is a vortex space dischargepassageway 30 through which vortex finder 31 is tightly inserted andaxially aligned. The vortex finder is also constructed out of aresilient rubber material. To minimize leakages and to maintain thevortex finder in position, it is desirable to construct the vortexfinder 31 with a shoulder 32 at the inlet end thereof. Thus, each of thecover members is in proper position, and each of the vortex spacescooperate together to form individual hydrocyclones.

To properly position the cover member 26, and to maintain that positionunder operative conditions, posit'ioning means are provided. Suchpositioning means comprises an interrupted annular groove 33 disposed inthe infeed end surface 29 of the block surrounding the vortex space 22,illustrated in Figure 2, and adapted to receive an interrupted orsegmental cylindrical wall 34 integral with the cover member 26, theouter face of which is a continuation of the outer cylindrical face ofthe cover member with the exception of the interrupted or segmentedportion and which projects away from the infeed end of the cover member.When properly positioned the cylindrical axis of the cover member willbe aligned with the axis of the vortex space, as shown in both Figures 1and 4. The purpose of interrupting the cylindrical wall 34 is to preventthe cover member 26 from turning about its axis under operativeconditions. While this interruption may be located at any place aroundthe cylindrical wall 34, it is preferred that it be disposed about theentrance to the groove 28 as in Figure 3, for ease in molding the covermember 26.

Another cover member embodiment of this invention as illustrated inFigures 7, 8, 9, and 10, is advantageous whenit is desired to reduce thedistance between the underflow end and the infeed end of the multiplehydrocyclone block without reducing the dimensions of the vortex spaceor, conversely, where it is desired to increase the length of the vortexspaces without increasing the dimensions of the block. In either case,part of the vortex space may be formed by a recess in the infeed end ofthe cover member. Thus, in Figure 8, the cylindrical multiplehydrocyclone block 121, a part only of a cross section being shown here,but which in all other respects is identical to the block 21, containsvortex spaces 122 which comprises a short cylindrical section 123subtended by a conical section 124. The cylindrical section opensdirectly onto the infeed end of the block 121 whereas at the apex of theconical section 124 there is an axially aligned passageway 125, theunderflow discharge outlet, opening onto the underflow end of the block121. Similarly, each vortex space 122 is capped by the modified covermember 126, which, as shown in Figure 7, comprises a cylindricallyshaped plate of diameter larger than the cylindrical section 123 with anaxially disposed cylindrically shaped recess 125 having a diametercorresponding to that of the cylindrical section 123. Thus, when thecover member 125 is in position over the vortex space 122, a cylindricalspace 119 of the desired dimensions is formed by the combination ofcylindrical section 123 and the recess 120. Cover member 126 alsocomprises a channel-like groove 128 of constant width and constant depthextending from and through the side wall of the cover member along thesurface of the end thereof in an arc-like curve towards the cover memberaxis, the outer wall of which curve tangentially meets the cylindricalwall surrounding the recess 120. When cover member 126 is in position,as in Figure 8, a feed slurry conduit 127 extending from the spacesurrounding the cover member to the vortex space is formed, one wall ofwhich is the infeed end surface 129 of the block 1 21 whereas theremaining walls are formed by the channel-like groove 128. Incidentally,that portion of the cover member illustrated in Figure 8 corresponds tosection S8 in Figure 9. Likewise, cover member 126 has an axiallydisposed discharge outlet 130 through which there is preferably inserteda vortex finder 131 having a shoulder 132 at the inlet 'end thereof.Cover member positioning 'means are provided which comprise aninterrupted annular groove 133 concentrically disposed in the infeed endsurface 129 of the block about each vortex space 122 and adapted toreceive an interrupted cylindrical wall 134 integral with cover member126, the outer face of which is a continuation of the outer cylindricalface of the cover member with the exception of the interrupted part, andwhich projects away from the infeed end of the cover member so that whenin position the cover member is axially aligned with the vortex space122. Again it is preferred that the interrupted portion be disposedabout the entrance to the groove 128.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2 the block 21 in the preferredarrangement is provided with an axially disposed radially symmetricalhole 35 extending from the underflow end of the block 21 to the infeedend. This hole comprises the main feed slurry conduit 35.

As indicated before, to aid in obtaining equal distribution of feedslurry to each of the vortex spaces and to minimize dead areas the covermembers 26 are preferably positioned so that the entrances to the feedslurry conduits 28 are facing away from the overall direction of feedslurry flow over the surface'29 of the block. :In the drawings theseinlets are therefore shown facing toward the periphery .of the block andaway from the central hole 35.

At the inlet end to the conduit 35 there is provided about thecircumference thereof a pressure sealing lip or collar 36 of a resilientmaterial, which sealing lip 36 projects in the overall direction of feedslurry flow. This sealing lip 36 is adapted to cooperate with the pipemeans inserted therethrough to form under operative conditions apressure seal whereby leakage of feed slurry from around the pipe meansis prevented. Likewise, to prevent leakage of feed slurry underoperating conditions along the sides of the block 21 when it is encasedwithin the housing to be described hereinafter, .an annular seal ing lipor collar 37 of a resilient material is provided about the periphery ofthe infeed end of the block 21. This lip for best results should projectoutwardly at an angle lying between 90 and 180 from the sides of theblock 21 so that under operating conditions the pressure of the feedslurry will compress the lip against the housing thereby forming apressure seal.

To successfully operate the individual hydrocyclones so formed in theblock with the cover members it is necessary to provide pressurized feedmeans to the feed slurry conduits 37, apex discharge collection means,vortex finder collection means, and means to prevent the cover membersfrom being pushed out by internal pressures. To meet these requirementsa specially adapted housing assembly is used.

Referring now to Figure 11, there is shown the complete block 21 ofFigure 1 with all of the vortex spaces 22 capped by properly positionedcover members 26, all assembled Within such a housing assembly tofurnish an operative multiple hydrocyclone 40. More particularly, theblock 21 with cover members 26 in position is mounted between two roundmetallic clamping plates 41 and 45. Clamping plate 41 is adapted to reston the discharge ends of the cover members 26 and is provided withapertures 42 corresponding in position to the cover member overflowoutlet 30 through which vortex finder 31 protrudes, which apertures arejust large enough to admit the protruding end of the vortex finder.About the periphery of the clamping plate 41 and integral therewith is acylindrical rim 43 which projects away from the block 21 when the plateis in position. Integral with the cylindrical rim 43 and at the otherend thereof is an outwardly projecting annular flange 44. Clamping plate45, upon which the underflow end of the block 21 rests is provided withapertures 46 corresponding in position to the apex discharge outlets 25,and with a centrally disposed hole 47 adapted to enable a feed slurrypipe to be passed through it into the central hole 35 of the block. Theblock and cover mem bers mounted between the two clamping plates arethen placed within a cup-shaped housing frame 48 provided with anaxially disposed feed slurry pipe integral with the frame having adiameter larger than the opening in the block 21 formed in the centralhole 35 between sealing lip 36, and of sufiicient length to pass throughthe clamping plate hole 47 and protrude through the central hole 35.Projecting inwardly from and around the sides of the frame 48 adjacentthe end thereof is a shoulder 50 upon which lies a packing ring 51. The

shoulder and the ring are so adapted that the clampr ing plate 45 reststhereon. Underflow discharge conduit 52 is disposed to the underflowchamber 53 formed by the shoulder 50, the end of the housing frame 48,and the clamping plate 45. Projecting outwardly at the other end of theframe 48 as an integral part thereof is an annular flange 54 adapted toreceive on the inner part thereof a packing ring 55. The sides of theframe 48 are of such length that the annular flange 44 rests upon thepacking ring 55 While the clamping plate 45 is resting on the covermembers 46. The remainder of the housing comprises a metallic housingplate 56 with a centrally disposed overflow discharge conduit 57 as anintegral part thereof, which plate rests upon the annular flange 44.Centering ridges 58 protruding away from the plate closely along thecylindrical rim 43 are provided to lend rigidity to the structural unit.Several threaded bolts 59 spaced equidistantly from each other aredisposed through the annular flange 54 and the housing plate 56. Bytightening nuts 60 on the bolts the cover members 26 are clamped againstthe block 21 and leakage is prevented at all joints.

In operation a liquid suspension of solids is introduced under enormouspressure through feed slurry pipe 49 into the central hole 35 in theblock from where it flows into the spaces around the cover member 26formed between the infeed end surface 29 of the block and the clampingplate 41. From these spaces the feed slurry flows through the conduit 27of each cover member to tangentially enter each vortex space 22 whereina hydrocyclonic separation of the nature before described occurs wherebya separated portion of the feed slurry is discharged through the apexoutlet 25 into the underflow discharge chamber 53 from whence it flowsout through discharge pipe 52. The remainder of the feed slurry isdischarged from the vortex space 22 through vortex finder 31 into theoverflow chamber 61 formed by the clamping plate 41 in cooperation withthe housing plate 56. From the overflow chamber 61 the slurry proceedsout through overflow conduit 57.

In the foregoing description both the cover members and the block ofvortex spaces are preferably constructed from a resilient material formaximum protection against leakage although the multiple hydrocyclone isoperable if only one of the elements is constructed out of resilientmaterial.

I claim:

1. A multiple hydrocyclone comprising a block of material with a flatinfeed end parallel to a flat underflow end; vortex spaces disposed inthe block With the axis of each in parallel alignment and perpendicularto the plane of the infeed end of the block, each vortex space openingdirectly onto the infeed end of the block and communieating with theunderflow end of the block through a coaxial underflow passageway; covermembers capping the vortex space openings at the infeed end of theblock, each cover member comprising a plate of significant width withthe end adjacent the block slightly larger in size than the adjacentvortex space opening, an annular orifice extending through the platecoaxial of the vortex space, a grooved channel in the surface of the endadjacent the block extending from and through the side of the plate toterminate tangentially to the vortex space, which channel cooperateswith the adjacent portion of the flat infeed end surface of the block toform a tangential feed conduit to the vortex space whereby each vortexspace and its cover member cooperate to form a hydrocyclone; positioningmeans associated with each cover member for establishing and maintainingthe position of each cover member in relation to each adjacent vortexspace opening; a clamping plate spacedly set apart from the infed endsurface of the block by the cover member, said plate being at least aslarge as the infeed end of the block and having apertures disposedtherethrough, each coaxial with the annular orifice of the adjacentcover member and of size smaller than the size of the cover member endadjacent the block but at least as large as the annular orifice; supportmeans adjacent the underflow end of the block adapted to permit thedischarge from each of the underflow passageway outlets to flowtherethrough without obstruction; means for pressing the clamping platetowards the support means; means for housing the assembled block, covermembers, clamping plate and support means; conduit means for introducinga pressurized feed into and about the space, interrupted by covermembers, formed between the infeed end surface of the block and theclamping plate; means for collecting the pressurized discharges from thevortex spaces, that flow out the underflow passageways through saidsupport means adjacent to the underflow end of the block; dischargeconduit means in relation to said collection means; means for collectingthe pressurized discharges from the vortex spaces, that flowsout theannular orifice in the cover member and through the apertures of theclamping plate adjacent thereto; discharge conduit means in relation tosaid collection means; and pressure sealing means about the joints ofthe entire assembly.

2. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein each covermember also comprises a recess coaxial of the vortex space having thesame diameter as said vortex space to form a continuation of the vortexspace Jinn 9 into the cover member and the channel-like groove alsoterminates tangentially to the recess.

3. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein thechannel-like groove is of gradually decreasing depth from the inletthereto to the tangential termination thereof to the vortex space.

4. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein a tubularmember is axially disposed through the coaxial annular orifice of thecover member and extends into the vortex space.

5. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein, through theinfeed end surface of each cover member, there are several channel-likegrooves, each of which extend from the side of the cover member towardsthe annular orifice to terminate tangentially over the vortex space.

6. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein the pressuresealing means comprises a resilient sealing lip disposed about theperiphery of the infeed end of the block to engage the adjacent housingmeans in a pressure sealing relationship.

7. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein at least thecover members are constructed out of a resilient material.

8. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein at least thematerial of the block is resilient.

9. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein thepositioning means for establishing and maintaining the position of eachcover member comprise an interrupted narrow wall, disposed about theperiphery of each cover member and integral therewith to project beyondthe cover member end adjacent the block, said Wall being interruptedabout the inlet to the channel-like groove through said end of the covermember; and an interrupted annular groove concentrically disposed aboutthe vortex space in the infeed end of the block, which groove is adaptedto receive the projected, interrupted wall of the corresponding covermember.

10. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein the blockcover members, clamping plate, support means, and housing means are allradially symmetrical about the sides thereof.

11. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein the supportmeans adjacent the underflow end of the block comprises a clamping plateat least as large as the said end, with apertures disposed therethroughadjacent the underflow passageway outlets and coaxial thereto.

12. A multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein each vortexspace comprises a cylindrical section subtended by a conical section,with the cylindrical section opening directly without obstruction, ontothe infeed end of the block.

13. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein thepositioning means are adapted to establish and maintain the inlets ofthe channel-like grooves in the cover members away from the direction offlow of the feed through the space about the cover members confined bythe infeed end surface of the block and the adjacent clamping plate.

14. A multiple hydrocyclone which comprises a cylindrical block ofresilient material with an annular coaxial hole therethrough; vortexspaces concentrically disposed in the block with the axis of each spacein parallel alignment with the axis of the block, each vortex spacecomprising a cylindrical section opening directly onto the infeed end ofthe block and a conical section communicating at the apex thereof withthe underflow end of the block through a coaxial discharge passageway; acover member capping each vortex space at the infeed end of the block,the cover member comprising a cylindrical plate coaxial of the vortexspaces, a coaxial orifice through the plate, and a channel-like groovein the surface of the plate end adjacent the block extending from andthrough the side of the plate to treminate tangentially to the vortexspace, which channel cooperates with the flat infeed end surface of theblock to form a feed inlet to the vortex space, whereby each vortexspace and its cover member cooperate to form a hydrocyclone; acylindrical clamping plate with at least the same diameter as the block,resting on the cover members and having an aperture therethrough foreach cover member, which aperture being coaxial with the cover member issmaller than the cover member but larger than the annular orificethrough the cover member; cover member positioning means comprising aninterrupted, slender cylindrical wall, the face of which is acontinuation of the side of the cover member at the infeed end, but withan interruption therein about the entrance to the channel-like groove,and an interrupted annular groove concentrically disposed about thevortex space, which groove is adapted to receive the interrupted wallwith the entrance to the channel-like groove facing away from the axisof the block; a cylindrical clamping plate with at least the samediameter as the block and coaxially disposed adjacent to the underflowend of the block with a central hole therethrough corresponding to thecentral hole of the block, and apertures therethrough correspond ing tothe underflow discharge passageway outlets; means for pressing theplates towards each other; conduit means through the underflow clampingplate and extending into the central hole of the block for introducingpressurized feed into the central hole of the block; chamber means forcollecting vortex space discharges; conduit means for flowing suchdischarges away; and pressure sealing means about the joints of themultiple hydrocyclone.

15. The multiple hydrocyclone according to claim 14 comprising acoaxially disposed cylindrical recess in the cover member end adjacentthe vortex space, said recess having a diameter substantially equal tothat of the cylindrical section of the vortex space, with thechannel-like groove terminating tangentially to the recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS537,451 Hawley Apr. 16, 1895 1,402,784 Moore Ian. 10, 1922 FOREIGNPATENTS 503,836 Belgium Oct. 10, 1952 1,006,938 France Apr. 29, 1952

1. A MULTIPLE HYDROCYCLONE COMPRISING A BLOCK OF MATERIAL WITH A FLATINFEED END PARALLEL TO A FLAT UNDERFLOW END; VORTEX SPACES DISPOSED INTHE BLOCK WITH THE AXIS OF EACH IN PARALLEL ALIGNMENT AND PERPENDICULARTO THE PLANE OF THE INFEED END OF THE BLOCK, EACH VORTEX SPACE OPENINGDIRECTLY ONTO THE INFEED END OF THE BLOCK AND COMMUNICATING WITH THEUNDERFLOW END OF THE BLOCK THROUGH A COAXIAL UNDERFLOW PASSAGEWAY; COVERMEMBERS CAPPING THE VORTEX SPACE OPENINGS AT THE INFEED END OF THEBLOCK, EACH COVER MEMBER COMPRISING A PLATE OF SIGNIFICANT WIDTH WITHTHE END ADJACENT THE BLOCK SLIGHTLY LARGER IN SIZE THAN THE ADJACENTVORTEX SPACE OPENING, AND ANNULAR OROFICE EXTENDING THROUGH THE PLATECOAXIAL OF THE VORTEX SPACE, A GROOVED CHANNEL IN THE SURFACE OF THE ENDADJACENT THE BLOCK EXTENDING FROM AND THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE PLATE TOTERMINATE TANGENTIALLY TO THE VORTEX SPACE, WHICH CHANNEL COOPERATESWITH THE ADJACENT PORTION OF THE FLAT INFEED END SURFACE OF THE BLOCK TOFORM A TANGENTIAL FEED CONDUIT TO THE VORTEX SPACE WHEREBY EACH VORTEXSPACE AND ITS COVER MEMBER COOPERATE TO FORM A HYDROCYCLONE; POSITIONINGMEANS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH COVER MEMBER FOR ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAININGTHE POSITION OF EACH COVER MEMBER IN RELATION TO EACH ADJACENT VORTEXSPACE OPENING; A CLAMPING PLATE SPACEDLY SET APART FROM THE INFED ENDSURFACE F THE BLOCK BY THE COVER MEMBER, SAID PLATE BEING AT LEAST ASLARGE AS THE INFEED END OF THE BLOCK AND HAVING APERTURES DISPOSEDTHERETHROUGH, EACH COAXIAL WITH THE ANNULAR ORIFICE OF THE ADJACENTCOVER MEMBER AND OF SIZE SMALLER THAN THE SIZE OF THE COVER MEMBER ENDADJACENT THE BLOCK BUT AT LEAST AS LARGE AS THE ANNULAR ORIFICE; SUPPORTMEANS ADJACENT THE UNDERFLOW END OF THE BLOCK ADAPTED TO PERMIT THEDISCHARGE FROM EACH OF THE UNDERFLOW PASSAGEWAY OUTLETS TO FLOWTHERETHROUGH WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION; MEANS FOR PRESSING THE CLAMPING PLATETOWARDS THE SUPPORT MEANS; MEANS FOR HOUSING THE ASSEMBLED BLOCK, COVERMEMBERS, CLAMPING PLATE AND SUPPORT MEANS; CONDUIT MEANS FOR INTRODUCINGA PRESSURIZED FEED INTO AND ABOUT THE SPACE, INTERRUPTED BY CVERMEMBERS, FORMED BETWEEN THE INFEED END SURFACE OF THE BLOCK AND THECLAMPING PLATE; MEANS FOR COLLECTING THE PRESSURIZED DISCHARGES FROM THEVORTEX SPACES, THAT FLOW OUT THE UNDERFLOW PASSAGEWAY THROUGH SAIDSUPPORT MEANS ADJACENT TO THE UNDERFLOW END OF THE BLOCK; DISCHARGECONDUIT MEANS IN RELATION TO SAID COLLECTIN MEANS; MEANS FOR COLLECTINGTHE PRESSURIZED DISCHARGES FROM THE VORTEX SPACES, THAT FLOWS OUT THEANNULAR ORIFICE IN THE COVER MEMBER AND THROUGH THE APERTURES OF THECLAMPING PLATE ADJACENT THERETO; DISCHARGE CONDUIT MEANS IN RELATION TOSAID COLLECTION MEANS; AND PRESSURE SEALING MEANS ABOUT THE JOINTS OFTHE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY.